Another reason to be cautious about use of fentanyl in the cath lab: Aside from potential for patient dependency, the painkiller interacts with P2Y12 inhibitors to delay onset of platelet inhibition. (European Heart Journal)

Reperfusion was not futile among stroke patients with large diffusion-weighted imaging infarct volumes, subanalysis of the randomized THRACE trial suggested. Favorable outcomes were achieved among those with isolated M1 occlusions or ischemia restricted to the superficial middle cerebral artery territory. (Stroke)

A meta-analysis of observational studies found transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) associated with poorer survival rates than surgery over 3 years. A separate meta-analysis found patients at low surgical risk also had more deaths over a median 2 years. (Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions)

Stronger contact pressure was linked to the development of conduction abnormalities among patients undergoing TAVR, according to patient-specific simulations of CoreValve and Evolut R implantation. (Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions)

The novel BioMimics 3D Vascular Stent System met its primary safety and effectiveness endpoints for femoropopliteal lesions in the pivotal MIMICS-2 study, with a 81.9% freedom from loss of primary patency at 12 months. The device, which features a helical, flexible design without antiproliferative drugs, has been submitted to the FDA for Premarket Approval, according to a press release in Cath Lab Digest.

The IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon had a 79.8% rate of primary patency at 2 years in a Japanese trial, manufacturer Medtronic announced. The device also proved to be effective among subjects with critical limb ischemia in a separate study.

LimFlow’s Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialization System for critical limb ischemia gained breakthrough device status from the FDA along with a few more sites and 15 more patients allowed into its feasibility study, according to a company statement. (Business Wire)